Friday, October 19, 2012

Breeders' Cup Flashback: Tiznow

By Mary Cage

“Tiznow wins it for America!”

Tiznow
Photo by Terri Cage

How fitting Tom Durkin’s words were as the gallant Tiznow crossed the wire in
front in the 2001 Breeders’ Cup Classic (GI). The intrepid Thoroughbred had won
the same race in similar fashion the previous year at Churchill Downs and in
both circumstances, the colossal Tiznow had denied international superstars
victories in his nation – the nation in which he ruled the horse racing world.

Interestingly, Tiznow never went off at odds under 6-1 in his two Breeders’ Cup
excursions. In the 2000 Classic, the grand horse was sent off at odds of 9-1,
coming off a victory in the Goodwood Breeders' Cup Handicap (GII). Not even the
European superstar, the great Giant’s Causeway, loaded into the gate at odds
lower than 6-1. Rather, all the money was on that year’s Kentucky
Derby (GI) victor, Fusaichi Pegasus.

But it was Tiznow and Giant’s Causeway that put on the greatest show. Breaking
just inside of Giant’s Causeway on the far end of the starting gate, Tiznow broke
sharply under the Twin Spires and was sent to the vanguard by Chris McCarron,
settling just to the outside of Albert the Great. His dark, intimidating frame
grew even with the Jockey Club Gold Cup (GI) winner as they crossed the finish
line for the first time, taking the lead as the star-studded field of thirteen
entered the clubhouse turn.

Tiznow continued to lead narrowly as the classy Thoroughbreds galloped into the
backstretch. As Tiznow set an initial half-mile in 47.55, Albert the Great joined
him yet again on his inside, taking the lead by a small margin. Tiznow remained
comfortable as he galloped alongside Albert the Great, a few paths off the
rail. Just behind him sat the liver chestnut frame of Giant’s Causeway, whose
legs carried him forward, closer to the battle that would be forever etched in
Breeders’ Cup history.

Tiznow, at ease beneath McCarron, held the lead as the field turned for home,
his long, dark legs stretching over the ground in lengthy strides as the
Breeders’ Cup Classic contingent arrived at the top of the stretch. To his
outside, the European monster set his sights on the lead that Tiznow had,
growing closer to him as the wire neared. As they reached the final furlong
marker, Giant’s Causeway was within a length of Tiznow and shortly, the two
were neck and neck, their noses bobbing as they raced side by side.

Giant’s Causeway had every chance to get by, but Tiznow dug in, as his heart,
and not just McCarron, urged his nose back in front. As his dark mane flowed,
his face found itself ahead of Giant’s Causeway as he lunged forward, fighting
for the victory. In the words of Tom Durkin, “Tiznow prevails!”

Tiznow was not only awarded the Eclipse Award for 2000 Champion Three-Year-Old
Male, but also Horse of the Year. He began the next year with a victory in the San
Fernando Breeders' Cup Stakes (GII) before finishing second in the Strub Stakes
(GII). Following a romp in the Santa Anita Handicap (GI), Tiznow was injured
and did not return to the races until his third-place finish in the Woodward
Stakes (GI). After yet another third-place result, Tiznow reached the final
start of his career, returning to the stage that had defined his career: the
Breeders’ Cup. This time, however, it was not the shadow of the Twin Spires
that loomed over him; it was the shadow of the immense grandstand of Belmont
Park.

Tiznow had landed in New York, the state in which less than two months earlier,
a terrorist attack on the World Trade Center had left our country mourning. Belmont
Park was just miles from Ground Zero and reminders of 9/11 were everywhere.
America needed the presence of a true American champion, an American Thoroughbred
that could prove to be a hero on that autumn day in New York.

The American horses started off strong on the Breeders’ Cup card, but as the
feature race, the Classic, approached, things began going downhill for the
United States horses. In the three races that preceded the Classic, European-based
Thoroughbreds had gathered victories. It seemed it would be the same in the
Classic – the Europeans had an assembly of three horses, including not only the
menacing group one-winning Galileo,
but also the winner of that year’s Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (GI) – one of the
most prestigious races in the world – in Sakhee. It seemed as if Tiznow, coming
off two losses, had lost his edge, but what better horse to look to than
Tiznow, the reigning champion of the Classic, to become America’s hero?

Breaking from the tenth gate of thirteen on the far side of the expansive track,
Tiznow inched closer to the lead under McCarron as the field raced through the
opening stages of the renowned event. Towering over his rivals, the dark
Thoroughbred found himself in third as the field entered the backstretch,
galloping about two lengths off the leader. Another two lengths back was Sakhee
– the Arc winner. Tiznow proceeded to run just off the leaders, comfortable in
his position on the outside. As Albert the Great led through the far turn,
Tiznow inched closer to him, grasping second as the track curved beneath his
hooves. To his outside, Sakhee began to grow nearer, threatening to outrun
Tiznow.

He did. As the field turned for home, Sakhee was ahead of Tiznow, who was in
between horses as they arrived at the top of the stretch. Tiznow appeared as if
he was destined to finish in the money, but not carry the blanket of flowers
into the winner’s circle. That honor seemed to belong to Sakhee, the European.
It appeared as if America would be kept from victory.

But the valiant Tiznow dug in, displaying his sheer determination. Suddenly, he
was even with the Arc winner, stretching out his neck in tenacity. Against all
odds, he stuck his nose in front, crossing the wire with a nose advantage to
become the only horse to ever win the Classic twice. To the roar of the crowd,
Tiznow had become an American hero. The imposing horse had denied the foreign
horses another Breeders’ Cup victory and had shown America that with
perseverance, you can overcome all odds.

The end of Tiznow’s career was not the end of his reign. The effect of the magnificent
horse can still be felt in the Thoroughbred racing industry, as Tiznow is one
of the top sires in the nation, having sired nine grade/group one winners. Regardless
of his successful stud career, the striking stallion will forever be fondly
remembered by racing fans, as Tiznow is a true American inspiration, champion,
and hero.

About Me

Mary Cage, a 19-year-old
avid fan of horse racing, authors Past the Grandstand, a blog about an array of
horse racing topics, and a blog of the same name on Horse
Racing Nation. She has had
work published with The
BloodHorse’s website, the
American Quarter Horse's magazine America's
Horse, Southern Racehorse Magazine (now American
Racehorse Magazine), and Mules and
More Magazine.

Mary has been around horses all her life, having owned,
judged, and shown them for as long as she can remember.She has won several horse judging
competitions at major stock shows and is a Texas 4-H State Champion and
Appaloosa Youth World Show Top Ten finalist in the show ring.

She has
aspirations to work in the Thoroughbred industry, possibly as a writer. She is
currently attending West Texas A&M University, where she is majoring in
Agricultural Media and Communication.

Subscribe to PTG by email! You must follow ALL steps in order for your subscription to work.

Contact Me

Name

Email
*

Message
*

Search PTG

Loading...

NOTE:

Photo credit will always be given and I will only use photos I have permission to use. Do not steal photos from this site.

This blog is copyrighted. You may not reprint any work on this blog without permission or create a work that displays ideas parallel to those contained in this blog without permission. You will be reported if you violate this.